A 
A 

0 
0 
0 
9 
9 
4 

5 
6 
5 


cT    the   causes"  V"Vi1 ':»h   ^^f'^^ted 

the 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


BRIEF  INVESTIGATION 


or  THE  CAUSES  WHICH  CREATED 


THE  L.ATE  CONTROVERSY 


ELECTION  OF  MAYOR. 


BY 

A  DEMOCRATIC  MEMBER  OF  THE  COMMON  COUNCIL. 


LET  ME  EXHORT  AND  CONJURE  YOU  NEVER  TO  SUFFER  AN  INVA- 
SION OF  YOUR  POLITICAL  CONSTITUTION,  HOWEVER  MINUTE  THE 
INSTANCE  MAY  APPEAR,  TO  PASS  BY  WITHOUT  A  DETERMINED 
PERSEVERING  RESISTANCE."  JUNIUS, 


1830. 


^iSii^^555?- LANSING 

COLLECTION 1 


\830 


BRIEF  INVESTIGATION,  &c. 


TO    THE 

Republican  Electors  of  the  City  of  New- York. 


As  the  Republican  General  Committee  have  volunteered 
a  denunciation  of  those  members  of  the  Common  Council 
who  were  opposed  to  the  re-election  of  Walter  Bowne,  Esq. 
and  as  the  Courier  and  Eiiquirer  has  deemed  it  expedient  to 
echo  the  malediction,  it  is  due  to  the  consistent,  undeviating, 
and  honest  members  of  the  Party,  to  be  informed  of  the 
causes  which  produced  this  unpleasant  controversy. 

If  in  the  course  of  this  investigation,  I  shall  conclusively 
fasten  on  the  friends  of  Mr.  Bowne,  the  charge  of  deviating 
from  the  usages  and  principles  of  the  Republican  party,  and 
exhibit  them  as  merely  united  together  by  the  ties  of  individ- 
ual interest  and  private  advancement,  guided  by  no  promi- 
nent landmarks  of  party  discipline,  but  yielding  solely  to  the 
influence  of  personal  preference ;  I  trust  that  you  will  be 
convinced,  that  in  endeavoring  to  sustetin  them,  the  General 
Committee  have  not  only  deviated  from  their  proper  sphere, 
^  but  have  attempted  to  force  the  current  of  public  opinion 
u  from  its  legitimate  channel,  and  make  its  course  subservient 
-  to  the  designing  views  of  interested  politicians. 

It  is  understood  \hdXjive  members  of  that  body  were  oppo- 
sed to  the  resolutions  promulgated  by  the  General  Commit- 
tee, and  before  the  expiration  of  the  present  year,  I  am  of 


opinion  lliatall  will  be  fully  convinced  of  the  impropriety  of 
courting  the  hostility  of  a  majority  of  the  people  of  this  city, 
by  denouncing  their  representatives  in  tlic  City  Council. 
While  the  great  body  of  the  Republican  party,  bow  with  due 
submission  to  the  proper  edicts  of  their  representatives  in  Ge- 
neral Committee,  they  have  sufficient  independence  to  resist, 
the  encroachments  of  arbitrary  power,  and  repel  the  male- 
dictions of  unauthorized  proscription. 

If  the  Kepublican  members  who  are  denounced  by  the  Ge- 
neral Committee,  have  strictly  adhered  to  the  known  usages 
of  the  party,  and  if  their  conduct  has  comported  with  its  prin- 
ciples and  discipline,  I  can  conceive  of  no  excuse  for  those 
who  have  endeavored  to  shield  the  deserters  from  its  land- 
marks, with  the  iEgis  of  their  official  approbation. 

When  it  is  recollected  that  Mr.  Bowne  endeavored  at 
the  last  Election,  by  his  decision  as  Chairman  of  the  General 
Meeting  at  Tammany  Hall,  to  force  three  individuals  on  the 
party  who  were  obnoxious  to  a  majority  of  its  members — that 
he  has  recommended  one  of  those  persons  for  the  responsible 
station  of  Bank  Commissioner  ;  and  when  another  of  those 
very  individuals  was  the  author  and  presenter  of  the  sweep- 
ing resolutions  which  were  adopted  in  General  Committee,  it 
cannot  be  uncharitable  to  conclude  that  Mr.  Bowne  was 
personally  concerned  in  this  political  anathema,  and  that  in 
this  instance  private  prejudice  took  precedence  of  public 
good. 

Educated  in  the  school  of  democracy,  and  attached  to  its 
principles  by  every  tie  of  feeling,  and  every  association  of 
friendship,  1  cannot  but  deprecate  every  attempt  to  destroy 
its  influence,  and  impair  its  unity. 

It  is  a  source  of  regret  that  individuals  have  crept  into  our 
ranks,  and  attained  stations  of  high  importance,  who  having 
origmally  been  associated  with  our  opponents,  and  whose 
views  in  joining  the  dominant  party,  being  merely  selfish, 
have  substituted  personal  advancement  for  purity  of  purpose, 
and  in  their  anxiety  for  men,  have  abandoned  j^mczp/e. 

For  myself,  I  do  not  contemplate  the  sacrifice  of  any 
known  principle  of  the  party,  to  gratify  either  the  empty  pre- 


tensions  of  boisterous  converts,  or  the  selfish  clamors  of  de- 
signing partizans. 

Great  eftbrts  have  been  made  to  identify  the  success  of  Mr. 
Bowne,  with  the  triumph  of  Republican  principles,  but  I  shall 
in  my  next  number  unfold  the  machinery  which  placed  him 
in  the  chair  of  office  ;  and  am  mistaken  in  your  intelligence 
and  purity,  if  your  decision  is  not  in  accordance  with  my  own. 

I  am  aware  that  a  majority  of  the  people  of  this  city  will 
consider  this  exposition  as  unnecessary,  but  am  unwilling 
that  the  views  that  governed  the  majority  of  your  representa- 
tives, should  depend  solely  on  the  evanescent  record  of  oral 
information. 

A  democratic  member  of  the  Common  Council. 


TO    THE 


Republican  Electors  of  the  City  of  New- York. 
NO.  3. 

Having  in  my  first  number,  considered  the  prescriptive 
resolutions  of  the  General  Committee,  I  will  now  proceed 
to  unfold  the  means  which  were  resorted  to  by  the  friends 
of  Mr.  Bowne,  to  secure  his  re-election. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  month  of  December  last,  General 
Arcularius  and  Assistant  Alderman  Jeremiah,  issued  no- 
tices, which  were  severally  delivered  to  the  Repubhcan 
members  of  the  Common  Council,  convening  a  Caucus  at 
the  Old  Alms  House.  This  notice  was  in  the  usual  form, 
and  in  the  following  words,  viz. 

"  New-York,  Dec,  '2d,  1829. 
"  Sir, 

''  You  are  requested  to  attend  a  meeting  of  the  Re- 
publican members  of  the  Common  Council  elect,  on  Fri- 
day evening  the  5th  inst.  at  the  Old  Alms  House. 

«  HENRY  ARCULARIUS, 
"  THOMAS  JEREMIAH." 


This  call  was  made  in  strict  accordance  with  the  prece- 
dent established  last  season,  by  the  present  leading  friends 
of  Mr.  Bowne,  both  as  to  the  time  and  place,  and  the  indi- 
viduals invited. 

Tiiat  this  assertion  may  be  fully  established,  I  will  name 
the  persons  who  were  called  to  this  Caucus,  viz. 

The  Recorder — Messrs.  Nevius  and  Roosevelt,  of  the  1st 
Ward— Messrs.  Brown  and  Bryson,  of  the  4th — Mr.  Arcu- 
ralius,  of  the  5th  (Alderman  Rogers  being  absent) — Messrs. 
Strong  and  Townsend,  of  the  6th — Messrs.  Seaman  and 
Scott,  of  the  7th— Messrs.  Brown  and  Bedell,  of  the  8th — 
Messrs.  Wells  and  Rogers,  of  the  9th— Messrs.  Meserole 
and  Jeremiah,  of  the  10th— Messrs.  Marsh  and  Dibblee,  of 
the  1 1  th — iMessrs.  Lee  and  Cooper,  of  the  1 2th — Messrs. 
Palmer  and  Lovett,  of  the  13lh — and  Messrs.  Woodruff 
and  Engs,  of  the  14th. 

As  it  has  been  asserted  by  the  friends  of  Mr.  Bowne,  that 
the  above  call  was  "  illegal  and  unauthorized,"  it  will  be  pro- 
per to  revert  to  the  last  year's  Caucus,  which  was  called  by 
Alderman  Lozier,  at  the  instance  of  the  Recorder  and  a  few 
leading  friends  of  Mr.  Bowne,  without  consulting  a  large 
majority  of  the  Republican  members  who  were  invited. 
The  invitation  of  Alderman  Lozier  was  extended  to  the  fol- 
lowing Republican  members,  viz :  The  Recorder — Messrs. 
Cebra  and  Roosevelt,  of  the  1st  Ward — Messrs.  Brown  and 
Bryson,  of  the  4th — Messrs.  Rogers  and  Arcularius,  of  the 
5th — Messrs.  Lozier  and  Strong,  of  the  6th — Messrs.  Coe 
and  Seaman,  of  the  7th — Messrs.  Brown  and  Cowan,  of  the 
8th — Messrs.  Peters  and  Wells,  of  the  9th — Messrs.  Mese- 
role and  Jeremiah,  of  the  10th — Messrs.  Dodge  and  Pinck- 
ney,  of  the  11th — Messrs.  Lee  and  Cooper,  of  the  12th — 
Messrs.  Palmer  and  Lovett,  of  the  13th— and  Messrs. 
Woodruff  and  Engs,  of  the  14th. 

It  will  thus  be  perceived,  that  the  same  principle  governed 
the  selection  for  both  Caucuses. 

If  it  be  urged,  that  the  exclusive  few  who  dictated  the  last 
year's  Caucus  were  not  consulted,  the  same  objection  might 
have  been  raised  by  a  large  majority  of  the  Republican  mem- 


bers  the  last  year,  who  were  not  honored  with  a  consulta- 
tion. The  RepubUcan  members  who  gave  the  invitation 
the  present  season,  possess  as  pure  Republican  principles, 
and  have  exhibited  as  great  fidelity  and  devotedness  to  the 
party  as  Alderman  Lozier.)  and  I  presume  the  fact  will  not 
be  questioned,  that  they  possess  at  least  equal  claims  to  capa- 
city  and  intelligence.  These  gentlemen  had  prepared  a 
statement  to  submit  to  the  meeting,  detailing  the  reasons 
which  governed  thorn  in  this  measure,  and  being  both  the 
regularly  nominated  democratic  representatives  of  the  party, 
they  could  not  anticipate  any  reasonable  objections  to  as- 
semble at  their  call. 

On  the  morning  of  the  5th  December,  the  day  at  which 
the  first  Caucus  was  called  for  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening, 
rumors  were  afloat,  that  the  friends  of  Mr.  Bowne,  to  the 
number  of  twelve,  had  met  the  previous  evening  at  the  house 
of  the  Recorder ;  and  fearing  the  success  of  their  favorite  can- 
didate, had  deemed  it  expedient  to  call  a  partial  Caucus  at 
the  Street  Commissioner's  Office  at  five  o'clock — two  hours 
previous  to  the  general  call. 

For  myself,  I  had  serious  doubts  of  the  truth  of  these  state- 
ments ;  more  especially,  as  the  Recorder  had  previously  of- 
fered a  proper  and  religious  resolution  in  Common  Council, 
calling  on  all  good  citizens  to  abstain  from  their  usual  avo- 
cations, and  recommending  them  seriously  to  comply  with 
the  request  of  the  Governor,  in  paying  all  due  respect  to  this 
day,  specially  set  apart  hi' prayer  and  tha?ihgiving. 

That  he  should  manifestly  violate  his  own  resolution,  by 
assembling  his  political  friends  at  his  house,  o?i  this  day,  to 
devise  schemes  of  disorganization,  seemed  totally  at  vari- 
ance with  probability. 

The  people  of  this  city  having  by  an  overwhelming  ma- 
jority, deprecated  his  interference  in  our  municipal  govern- 
ment, was  an  additional  reason,  which  made  me  hesitate  to 
believe  in  his  making  this  improper  attempt  to  disfranchise 
a  portion  of  the  Republican  representatives  of  the  people. 

The  vote  in  the  Convention,  which  formed  the  new  Char- 
ter, to  exclude  the  Recorder  from  being  hereafter  a  mem- 


ber  of  the  Common  Council,  or  to  participate  in  its  mea- 
sures, was  almost  unanimous.  This  fact  speaks  volumes, 
in  relation  to  the  improjiricty  of  this  corrupt  interference  on 
his  part.     Yet  such  was  the  fact. 

At  the  appointed  hour,  sixteen  persons  assembled  at  the 
Street  Commissioner's  Office,  when  after  the  secession  of 
one  of  their  number,  who  was  not  disposed  to  disfranchise 
his  Republican  brethren,  they  entered  into  a  resolution,  not 
only  to  support  Mr.  Bowne  for  the  office  of  Mayor,  but  de- 
legated TO  THEMSELVES  THE  POWER  TO  CONFER  ALL  THE  AP- 
POINTMENTS IN  THE  GIFT  OF  THE  COMMON  COUNCIL  UP  TO  THE 
YEAR   1831. 

It  is  due  to  one  of  those  gentlemen,  however,  to  state,  that 
he  opposed  the  sweeping  resolution  above  alluded  to,  and  the 
next  morning  gave  honorable  notice  of  his  determination 
to  abandon  their  self-constituted  and  interested  combination. 

If  in  reverting  to  the  course  which  was  pursued  by  the 
friends  of  the  Mayor,  we  even  assume  the  position,  that  the 
gentlemen  who  called  the  first  meeting  were  not  duly  autho- 
rized, what  good  reasons  can  be  adduced,  for  their  refusal  to 
extend  their  invitation  to  those  Republicans  of  known  fide- 
lity, with  whom  they  had  associated  during  the  past  year, 
and  who,  after  an  invitation  to  their  deliberations,  had  ex- 
hibited a  faithful  adherence  to  their  Caucus  pledges,  in  all 
the  various  appointments  to  office  ? 

If  these  gentlemen  pretend  that  they  have  been  governed 
by  the  principle  of  admitting  those  only  who  were  regularly 
nominated^  why,  I  would  ask,  was  Aldermen  Palmer,  Mr. 
Jeremiah,  General  Arcularius,  and  other  regularly  nominated 
members  excluded,  while  Mr.  Lovett,  Alderman  Marsh 
(who  refused  to  attend)  and  others,  not  regularly  nominated 
representatives  of  the  party,  were  invited  ? 

Or  z/'the  invitation  was  intended  solely  for  the  Republican 
representatives,  who  were  considered  consistent  and  faithful 
members  of  the  party,  why  was  Mr.  Roosevelt  and  other 
Federalists  received,  while  Alderman  Strong,  Mr.  Town- 
send,  Mr.  Dibblee,  General  Arcularius,  Mr.  Jeremiah,  and 
other ^rm  Republicans^  were  expatriated  ? 


Tiie  conclusion  is  irresistible,  that  both  in  their  refusal  to 
attend  the  Jirst  Caucus,  and  in  their  partial  selection  for  the 
secojid,  the  friends  of  Mr.  Bownc  did  not  hesitate  to  repudi- 
ate tliosc  rules  which  they  had  prescribed  the  last  season,  as 
Well  as  the  usages  which  have  ever  governed  the  party ;  and 
in  their  adherence  to  incn,  prostrated  those  barriers,  which 
have  been  considered  sacred  by  all  consistent  Republicans. 

At  the  hour  designated  for  the  general  Caucus,  the  Re- 
publican representatives,  who  ^^  ere  disfranchised  by  the 
friends  of  the  Mayor,  or  who  did  not  desire  to  assist  in  their 
interested  measures,  assembled  at  the  Old  Alms  House,  and 
after  a  short  deliberation,  adjourned  to  a  future  day,  to  de- 
vise measures  for  sustaining  their  rights  and  privileges. 

A  democratic  member  ufchc  CuiiiiiLuiv  CuuuciL 


TO  THE 


Republican  Electors  of  the  City  of  New- York. 
NO.  3. 

Having  conclusively  established  the  fact  in  my  last  num- 
ber, that  the  friends  of  Mr.  Bowne,  in  the  commencement 
of  their  operations,  refused  to  recognize  the  known  princi- 
ples and  usages  of  the  Republican  party,  and  their  own  pre- 
cedent, 1  shall  now  proceed  to  the  consideration  of  the  course 
pursued  by  the  disfranchised  members,  after  being  so  uncere- 
moniously driven  from  all  participation  in  appointments  to 
office,  during  their  term  of  service. 

At  their  first  meeting,  the  members  who  assembled  at  the 
Old  Alms  House,  deemed  it  expedient  to  call  another  meet- 
ing in  a  few  days,  with  the  expectation  that  the  gentlemen 
who  met  at  the  Street  Commissioners  Office,  after  having 
time  for  deliberation,  would  perceive  the  impropriety  of  their 
course,  and  offer  to  their  Republican  associates,  that  share 
in  their  deliberations,  which  was  their  legitimate  right. 


10 

Being  disappoiuleJ  in  this  reasonable  expectation,  they 
met  pursuant  to  adjournment,  and  agreed  to  take  all  fair  and 
honorable  means  to  sustain  the  rights  delegated  to  ihcm  by 
their  constituents;  as  they  were  left  no  alternative,  but  either 
a  tame  submission  to  unauthorized  usurpation,  or  unqualified 
resistance. 

In  adopting  the  latter  course,  they  were  of  opinion,  that 
while  as  individual  members  of  the  party,  they  might  relin- 
quish their  personal  rights,  yet  holding  the  responsible  station 
of  the  representatives  of  the  rights  and  privileges  of  their  con- 
stituents, they  would  have  forfeited  all  claims  to  public  confi- 
dence, if  they  had  tacitly  submitted  to  the  assumption  "  of  an 
irregular  and  illegal  combination,"  created  in  defiance  of  the 
usages  of  the  party,  and  bound  together  solely  by  the  ties  of 
personal  mterest. 

The  Republican  members  who  assembled  at  this  meeting 
were — Alderman  Nevius — Brown,  4th — Strong — Marsh  and 
Palmer — Messrs.  Arcularius — Townsend — J  eremiah — Dib- 
blee  and  Engs ;  and  at  a  subsequent  meeting,  it  v^as  deemed 
expedient  to  invite  the  representatives  of  the  2d  and  3d  wards ; 
when  it  was  expressly  stated  by  a  majority  of  the  Republi- 
can members,  that  having  originally  associated  together  in 
conformity  with  the  usages  of  the  party,  they  could  not 
consent  to  compromise  their  principles  in  \\}e  selection  of  a 
candidate  for  the  Mayoralty,  and  that  no  other  than  a  de- 
cided Republican  should  receive  their  support. 

The  gentlemen  from  the  2d  and  3d  wards,  with  a  magna- 
nimity which  exhibits  a  striking  contrast  to  the  interested 
course  of  the  Assistant  Alderman  of  the  first  ward,  and  other 
Federal  friends  of  Mr.  Bowne,  consented  to  u  aive  their  per- 
sonal preferences,  and  unite  in  support  of  the  candidate  of 
the  majority. 

In  accordance  w  ith  these  views,  the  members  opposed  to 
Mr.  Bowne,  nominated  Mr.  Thomas  B.  Smith,  as  their  can- 
didate for  Mayor  ;  and  no  other  pledge  was  demanded,  than 
if  any  member  should  change  his  views,  he  should  give  no- 
tice of  the  same  to  his  associates. 


11 

While  I  am  disposed  to  render  ample  justice  to  JVlr. 
Bowne,  for  his  political  consistency  since  he  has  joined  the 
ranks  of  the  Republican  party,  it  will  not  he  considered  in- 
vidious to  remark,  that  Mr.  Smith,  was  a  firm  and  undevi- 
ating  Republican^  while  Mr.  Bowne  was  an  uncompromising 
Federalist ;  and  that  whatever  may  have  been  the  claims  of 
JNIr.  Bowne  on  the  party,  since  his  conversion,  he  has  been 
amply  rewarded  by  his  elevation  to  some  of  the  most  impor- 
tant offices  in  the  gift  of  the  people  of  this  State. 

The  friends  of  Mr.  Smithy  therefore,  on  party  considera- 
tions, have  equal,  if  not  paramount  claims,  on  the  confidence 
of  their  Republican  fellow  citizens. 

In  the  frequent  deliberations  of  the  disfranchised  members, 
it  will  not  be  improper  to  state,  that  it  was  distinctly  under- 
stood and  agreed,  that  in  the  event  of  success,  no  attempts 
should  be  made  to  remove  the  friends  of  the  Bowne  party 
from  ofiicc ;  but  that  if  they  were  in  the  majority,  they  would 
not  imitate  their  opponents  in  their  proscriptive  course. 

In  speaking  of  the  merits  of  the  rival  candidates  for  the 
Mayoralty,  it  may  be  proper  to  remark,  that  it  is  a  fact  with- 
in the  knowledge  of  every  citizen  who  has  visited  the  Com- 
mon Council  during  their  meetings  the  past  year,  that  Mr. 
Bowne  has  exhibited  a  manifest  lack  of  capacity  and  deci- 
sion, as  President  of  the  Board. 

Some  of  his  present  leading  friends  have  borne  frequent  tes- 
timony to  his  total  unfitness. 

An  attempt  has  been  made  by  the  friends  of  Mr.  Bowne, 
to  fasten  on  their  Republican  opponents,  the  charge  of  a  cor- 
rupt coalition  with  the  Federal  members  of  the  Board. 

Satisfied  of  their  utter  inability,  to  give  even  a  shadow  of 
apology  for  their  open  abandonment  of  the  usages  and  prin- 
ciples of  the  party,  these  gentlemen  have  endeavored  to 
drown  the  indignant  voice  of  their  Republican  fellow  citi- 
zens, by  raising  the  hue  and  cry  of  Federal  influence. 

While  the  apologists  of  Mr.  Bowne  and  his  friends  are 
dwelling  with  such  manifest  emphasis  on  Federal  men  and 
Federal  measures,  it  will  be  proper  to  notice  the  fact,  ^-iat 
these  exclusive  Republicans  have  not  hesitated  to  make  over- 


J0. 

tures  to  some  ol  these  name  Federal  gentlemeu,  to  induce 
them  to  join  their  ranks ;  and  in  their  zeal  to  create  prose- 
lytes, have  resorted  to  concentrated  and  organized  efforts,  to 
shake  the  constancy  of  those  whom  tliey  supposed  accessi- 
ble to  conversion. 

The  firmness  and  decision  exhibited  by  the  opponents  of 
Mr.  Bowne,  stands  in  bold  relief,  when  contrasted  with  a 
portion  of  his  Federal  friends,  who  onli/  opened  their  eyes  to 
the  incorrectness  of  their  political  course,  when  in  full  con- 
tact with  the  loaves  nndjis/ies  of  office. 

A  democratic  member  of  the  Common  CounciL 


TO    THE 


Republican  Electors  of  the  City  of  New- York. 
NO.  4. 

Having  in  my  previous  communications  disclosed  the  ori- 
gin of  the  Bowne  Caucus,  and  exhibited  their  claims  on  the 
Republican  party,  I  shall  now  change  the  scene  to  the  Com- 
mon Council  Chamber  on  the  28th  December,  when  the  new 
Board  was  organized. 

Although  at  the  different  meetings  which  were  held  by  the 
disfranchised  members,  it  was  understood  that  the  friends  of 
the  Mayor  had  promulgated  his  intention  by  voting  on  the 
ballot  for  Mayor,  to  elect  himself  to  office  ;  yet  it  was  suppo- 
sed that  in  this  community,  which  has  ever  manifested  a  laud- 
able jealousy  of  self-constituted  and  self-appointed  power; 
no  such  attempt  could  be  reasonably  anticipated. 

While  a  portion  of  the  members  honestly  doubted  whether 
this  course  might  not  be  pursued,  it  w  as  determined  to  offer 
an  amendment  to  the  resolution  to  proceed  to  ballot ;  which 
by  testing  the  Mayor's  decision,  would  resolve  doubt  into  cer- 
tainty, by  compelling  him  to  vote  for  or  against  the  resolution. 

An  amendment  was  accordingly  submitted  in  the  following 
vvoi^s: 


13 

'•  But  whereas,  Walter  Bowne,  Esq.  the  present  Mayor,  is 
a  candidate  for  tlie  office  of  Mayor  at  the  present  election,  and 
thereby  interested  in  the  question: — hik\  whereas,  the  1 3i\\ 
rule  of  this  Board  declares  that  7W  member  shall  vote  on  a  ques- 
tion in  irhich  he  is  interested : — and  whereas,  it  is  necessary  for 
the  free  discussion  of  the  qualifications  of  the  candidates,  that 
they  should  not  be  present : — therefore  Resolved,  that  his  lie- 
nor the  Mayor  be  requested  to  vacate  his  seat,  and  that  the 
Recorder  preside  during  the  election." 

His  decision  on  this  amendment  exceeded  even  the  antici- 
pations of  his  most  determined  opponents ;  for  refusing  to  put 
the  question  on  tiie  amendment,  he  in  violation  of  an  absolute 
rule  of  the  Board,  which  has  ever  been  held  sacred  in  all  de- 
liberate assemblies,  prostrated  the  invaluable  right  of  amend- 
ing a  motion,  until  by  the  main  question  being  decided,  the 
amendment  was  placed  beyond  i!ie  pale  of  consideration. 

This  decision  was  a  melancholy  evidence  of  the  correct- 
ness of  the  statements  made  by  the  friends  of  Mr.  Bowne, 
that  he  intended  to  vote  for  himself;  for  in  quashing  the  amend- 
ment, he  not  only  proceeded  in  direct  opposition  to  the  rule 
governing  amendments,  but  openly  violated  the  13th  rule  of 
the  Board,  which  deprives  a  member  of  voting  on  a  question 
in  which  he  is  personally  interested. 

In  Clarhe'^s  abridgement  o{  Jeffersonh  excellent  Manual,  it 
will  be  perceived  that  both  of  the  above  rules  are  considered 
of  vital  importance  •,  and  that  they  are  based  on  the  immuta- 
ble principles  of  propriety  and  justice. 

In  this  standard  work,  page  146,  speaking  of  the  rule  go- 
verning amendments,  Mr.  Jefferson  observes :  ''  If  an  amend- 
ment be  proposed  inconsistent  with  one  already  agreed  to,  it 
is  a  fit  ground  for  rejection  by  the  house,  but  not  within  the 
competence  of  the  speaker  to  suppress,  as  if  it  were  against 
order,'''* 

"  For  were  he  permitted  to  bring  questions  of  consistence 
within  the  vortex  of  order,  he  might  usurp  a  negative  on  im- 
portant modifications,  and  suppress  instead  of  subserving  the 
legislative  will." 


M 

Again,  "ainendmeiifs  may  be  made  so  as  totally  to  alter 
the  nature  of  the  proposition." 

On  the  question  o{ personal  interest  he  justly  remarks,  page 
]  14  and  1 1.5 ;  "where  the  private  interests  of  a  member  are 
concerned  in  a  bill  or  question,  he  is  to  withdraw  ;  and  where 
such  an  interest  has  appeared,  his  voice  has  been  disallowed 
even  after  a  division.  In  a  case  50  contrary  not  only  to  the 
laics  of  decency,  but  to  the  fundGinenial  principle  of  the  social 
compact,  ivhich  denies  to  any  nan  to  he  a  judge  in  his  own  cause, 
it  is  for  the  honor  of  the  house,  that  this  rule  of  immemorial 
observance,  should  he  strictly  adhered  to." 

But  the  arbitrary  measures  of  the  Mayor  did  not  conclude 
here,  for  after  giving  the  casting  vote  to  proceed  into  the  elec- 
tion, and  after  declaring  in  the  most  explicit  lerms,  "  that  he 
had  a  right  to  vote  on  all  questions,  and  that  no  vote  of  the  Com- 
mon Council  should  deprive  him  of  that  right,''''  he  totally  refu- 
sed to  notice  a  motion  for  re-consideration,  although  in  a  like 
instance  in  the  early  part  of  the  last  season,  he  had  positively 
decided  in  favor  of  being  bound  by  the  motion  to  re-consider. 

Under  this  state  of  things,  during  the  pendency  of  a  motion 
to  adjourn,  iha  seven  Assistants  being  firmly  convinced  of  his 
intention  to  elect  himself,  according  to  previous  arrangement 
made  at  a  meeting  of  the  opponents  of  Mr.  Bowne,  vacated. 
their  seats ;  and  by  destroying  a  quorum,  prevented  the  intend- 
ed prostration  of  principle  and  propriety. 

By  the  following  minutes  of  the  meetings  of  the  Common 
Council,  it  will  be  perceived  that  his  predecessors  have  ever 
vacated  their  seats  during  the  election  for  Mayor,  while  they 
were  candidates ;  and  that  Mr.  Bowne  had  not  even  the  sha- 
dow of  precedent  for  his  determination  to  preside  during  the 

ballot  for  his  re-election. 

"January  26,  1823." 

'•  Alderman  Zabriskie  moved  that  the  Board  now  proceed 
to  the  election  of  Mayor,  which  was  carried  in  the  affirma- 
tive. Mr.  Allen,  the  present  Mayor,  then  left  the  chair,  which 
was  taken  by  the  Recorder,  Mr.  Riker." 

"January  17,  1825." 

"  Alderman  Mann,  agreeably  to  notice  of  last  meeting, 
moved  that  the  Board  now  proceed  to  the  election  of  Mayor 


15 

for  the  ensuing  year,  which  was  carried  in  the  affirmative. 

His  honor  the  Mayor,  Mr.  Paulding,  requested  that  he  might 

be  permitted  to  leave  the  chair,  which  was  agreed  to;  and  he 

accordingly  retired  from  the  Common  Council  Chamber." 

"Januarys,  1826." 

"  The  Mayor,  Mr.  Paulding,  then  observed,  that  with  the 

permission  of  the  Board  he  would  leave  the  chair,  which  he 

accordingly  did  ;  and  it  was  taken  by  the  Recorder,  Mr. 

Riker." 

"December  25,  182G." 

"  Alderman  Taylor's  motion  to  proceed  to  the  choice  of  a 
Mayor,  was  then  taken  into  consideration — 1 3  affirmative — 
12  negative.  A  member  observed  that  as  there  were  26 
members  present,  1 3  was  not  a  majority,  and  he  considered 
the  Board  as  entitled  to  ask  the  Mayor  to  vote.  The  May- 
or (Mr.  Hone)  stated  that  he  felt  himself  so  situated  on  the 
occasion,  that  he  begged  the  Board  would  excuse  him  from  vo- 
ting. The  Board  having  assented  thereto,  he  then  declared 
the  question  carried,  and  requested  the  members  to  prepare 
their  ballots." 

"December  27,  1827." 

"  Alderman  Ostrander  moved  that  the  board  now  proceed 
to  the  election  of  a  Mayor  for  the  ensuing  year,  which  was 
agreed  to.  The  Mayor,  Mr.  Paulding,  requested  to  be  per- 
mitted to  leave  the  chair  and  retire,  which  was  assented  to. 
The  Recorder,  Mr.  Riker  then  took  the  chair." 

"  December  29,  1828." 

"  The  Mayor,  Mr.  Paulding,  then  observed,  that  on  a  for- 
mer occasion,  when  his  name  was  mentioned  as  a  candidate 
for  the  office  of  M  ayor,  he  had  requested  permission  to  leave 
the  chair ;  but  as  at  this  time  he  was  not  a  candidate  for  that 
office,  he  would  do  himself  the  honor  of  presiding  at  the  elec- 
tion." 

It  has  been  asserted  in  the  public  prints,  that  Mr.  Bown« 
never  intended  to  vote  for  himself;  but  if  any  injustice  has 
been  awarded  him  in  the  imputation,  it  will  find  an  excuse 
in  his  conduct  during  the  different  votes  on  this  subject,  inde- 
pendent of  the  assertions  of  his  friends,  that  such  was  his 
intention. 


For  niyscdf,  iiis  refusal  to  alKlicatc  his  seal ;  liis  declarations 
in  the  Board  ;  his  votes  on  the  question  of  interest ;  and  the 
fact  that  he  refused  to  make  the  explanation  which  he  was 
subsequently  compelled  to,  in  his  letter  to  the  seven  Assist- 
ants ;  are  in  my  mind,  the  most  conclusive  proofs  of  his  origi- 
nal intentions. 

A  democratic  member  of  the  Common  Council. 


TO    THE 

Republican  Electors  of  the  City  of  New- York. 
NO.  5. 

It  is  a  maxim  which  has  received  the  sanction  of  succeed- 
ing ages,  that  excessive  desire  for  power  and  distinction  can- 
not remain  long  concealed  from  observation ;  and  that,  al- 
though the  accomplished  politician  may  be  an  adept  in  those 
arts  of  refined  deception,  which  bid  defiance  to  common  scru- 
tiny; yet  like  the  heel  of  the  fabled  Achilles,  he  is  here  found 
vulnerable. 

This  axiom  was  manifestly  exemplified  in  the  case  of  Mr. 
Bowne  and  his  friends,  in  the  Common  Council  Chamber, 
after  the  departure  of  the  seven  Assistants. 

His  honor  the  Maijor,  trembled  with  rage  and  disappoint- 
ment— the  wily  and  courteous  Recorder  exhibited  a  degree 
of  passion  which  his  uniform  caution  seldom  admits — the 
Federal  Assistant  from  the  First  was  absolutely  unmanagea- 
ble ;  and  even  the  sweet-tempered  Aldermen  from  the  1th  and 
12///,  evidently  lost  their  usual  equilibrium. 

The  Mayor  in  the  ardor  of  his  desire  for  the  public  good, 
(i.  e.  his  own  re-election)  dispatched  that  able  negociator 
Hays,  to  beseech  the  absentees  to  return  ;  and  when  it  was 
found  that  these  gentlemen  had  adjourned  to  Bellevue,  to 
dinner,  he  courteously  proposed  a  recess  until  5  o'clock,  that 
these  obstinate  deserters  might,  by  quieting  the  demands  of 
hunger,  feel  more  favorably  disposed  to  further  his  preten- 
sions. 


17 

Finding  his  condescension  unavailing,  after  pemiitting  the 
Recorder,  the  federal  gentleman  of  the  First,  and  others,  to 
abuse  these  gentlemen  informally,  in  their  absence,  he  reluc- 
tantly adjourned  the  Board  (notwithstanding  his  previous  as- 
sertion that  they  must  sit  till  dooms-day  if  a  quorum  was  not 
formed)  until  the  ensuing  day  at  1  o'clock. 

The  next  morning  orders  were  issued  to  the  various  depen- 
dants of  the  Bowne  party,  to  swell  llie  clamor  of  denuncia- 
tion against  the  Assistants ;  and  accordingly  the  hue  and  cry 
was  raised,  and  every  whipper-in  echoed  the  sound. 

It  was  most  learnedly  concluded  that  the  Republic  was  in 
danger,  and  that  in  the  downfall  of  Mr.  Bowne,  there  would 
be  a  total  shipwreck  of  Republican  principles. 

The  hour  of  meeting  arrived,  and  notwithstanding  the  din 
of  preparation,  the  seven  Assistants  were  still  absent. 

During  an  explanation,  by  the  friends  of  these  gentlemen, 
of  the  reasons  which  governed  them  in  their  absence,  shouts 
of  applause  resounded  from  the  assemblage  of  spectators  ;  and 
it  was  evident  that  the  popular  voice  failed  to  sustain  the 
Mayor's  pretensions. 

So  convinced  was  Mr.  Bowne  of  this,  that  after  adjourn- 
ing the  Board  to  the  next  day,  it  was  deemed  expedient  on 
reflection,  io  further  adjourn  to  a  more  distant  period. 

During  the  vacation,  the  seven  Assistants  addressed  a  let- 
ter to  the  Mayor,  explaining  the  causes  of  their  absence,  and 
desiring  of  him  the  information  whether  it  was  his  intention 
to  preside,  and  vote  for  himself. 

In  his  answer  he  admits  that  the  public  good  (i.  e.  pubtic 
sentiment)  demands  the  avowal  of  his  determination  to  not 
vote  for  himself;  and  accordingly  at  the  ensuing  meeting  of 
tlie  Board,  they  attended  at  the  tea  room  for  the  purpose 
of  assisting  in  the  deliberations  of  the  Council ;  when  during 
a  request  from  Alderman  Strong,  that  their  letter  and  the 
Mayor's  answer  might  be  read,  Mr.  Bowne  unceremonious- 
ly adjourned  the  meeting,  without  giving  the  Assistants  time 
to  appear  in  the  Council  Chamber,  in  obedience  to  his  re- 
quest transmitted  by  the  High  Constable. 

c 


18 

This  abrupt  adjournment  was  deemed  a  breach  of  the  or- 
dinary rules  of  politeness,  being  made  while  the  seven  As- 
sistants were  on  their  way  to  the  Board,  in  obedience  to  the 
Mayor's  request. 

The  long  wished  for  consummation  of  the  Mayor's  hopes 
approximated,  however,  too  near  fruition,  to  be  long  delay- 
ed ;  and  accordingly,  on  the  second  day  after  the  preceding 
meeting,  he  again  assembled  the  Board,  and  on  the  first  bal- 
lot, Mr.  Bowne  announced  that  he  had  received^f/Zeen  votes, 
and  therefore  declared  himself  duly  elected  to  the  office  of 
A'layor  for  the  ensuing  year;  and  immediately  adjourned  the 
Board. 

The  Mayor's  undue  anxiety  for  office,  and  want  of  deco- 
rum, was  fully  exhibited  in  his  conduct  at  this  election ;  for 
he  not  only  announced  his  own  elevation,  but  in  his  extreme 
haste  to  grasp  the  reins  of  power,  refused  even  to  delay  for 
the  tellers  to  declare  the  result. 

His  conduct  in  the  early  part  of  this  meeting,  by  his  arbi- 
trary decisions  on  every  motion  which  was  offered  by  his 
opponents,  declaring  every  thing  which  did  not  tally  with  his 
views  out  of  order,  and  refusing  to  hear  any  remarks  from 
the  disfranchised  members,  was  in  perfect  keeping  with  the 
uniform  tenor  of  his  career. 

The  result  oiihc  first  ballot  was  certainly  a  shock  to  the 
friends  of  Mr.  Smith,  for  they  justly  considered  a  breach  of 
faith  on  the  part  of  one  of  their  number,  when  no  pledge  was 
demanded,  except  the  annunciation  of  any  individual  mem- 
ber to  his  associates,  if  he  changed  his  views,  as  in  the  high- 
est degree  disingenuous  and  dishonorable. 

The  additional  {<ic{,  ih?iii\\e  fourteen  members  had  met 
together,  a  very  few  evenings  previous  to  the  Mayor's  elec- 
tion, and  had  individually  expressed  their  determination  to 
sustain  Mr.  Smith,  exhibited  the  baseness  of  the  deserter  in 
more  glowing  colors. 

Impressed  with  this  feeling,  almost  every  individual  in  his 
turn  became  the  object  of  suspicion,  until  one  of  the  number 
who  had  been  openly  denounced,  while  coming  from  the 
Common  Council  Chamber,  as  the  political  Judas,  declared 


19 

his  determination  to  make  an  affidavit  of  his  having  voted  for 
Mr.  Smith. 

This  led  a  number  of  others  to  pursue  the  same  course, 
until  by  calling  on  the  different  friends  of  Mr.  Smith,  the 
astonishing  fact  was  ascertained,  that  the  fourteen  members 
had  all  voted  for  that  gentleman. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  fourteen  members,  each 
was  separately  interrogated  as  to  his  manner  of  voting,  and 
the  most  perfect  conviction  was  impressed  on  their  minds, 
of  the  impossibility  of  any  mistake. 

Under  this  state  of  things,  I  leave  the  public  to  conclude, 
how  fouTleen  votes  for  Thomas  R.  Smith,  which  were  depo- 
sited in  the  ballot  box,  were  reduced  to  thirteen,  when  they 
were  opened  by  the  tellers. 

A  democratic  member  of  the  Covimon  Coiincil. 


TO    THE 


Republican  Electors  of  the  City  of  New- York. 
NO.  6. 

Having  now  presented  an  impartial  statement  of  the  ori- 
i^in,  progress  and  consummation  of  the  contest  which  has  agi- 
tated our  city  for  the  last  month,  it  will  not  I  presume  be  con- 
sidered "inappropriate,  to  indulge  in  a  few  remarks  on  the 
consequences  which  will  follow  this  departure  from  princi- 
ple, by  the  friends  of  Mr.  Bowne,  and  the  attempt  to  legal- 
ize their  measures  by  the  General  Committee. 

In  this  free  and  enlightened  community,  where  all  power 
is  centred  in  the  people,  it  is  fortunate  for  those  who  have 
been  the  victims  of  illegitimate  proscription,  that  in  their  ap- 
peal to  the  tribunal  of  public  opinion,  they  can  repose  with 
confidence  on  the  intelligence  and  impartiality  of  their  peers. 

Before  this  cautious,  scrutinizing  and  virtuous  court  of  ju- 
dicature, the  fallacy  of  deceptive  pretensions  will  not  fail  to 
be  exposed,  and  the  arbitrary  departure  from  sound  princi- 


20 

pies,  will  invariably  meet  the  righteous  verdict  of  unqualified 
condemnation. 

If  any  member  of  Ihc  Republican  party  is  of  opinion,  that 
the  opponents  of  Mr.  Bowne  liave  too  sirenuously  persisted 
in  their  opposition,  I  will  only  reply,  that  it  is  necessary  for 
the  security  of  our  rights,  to  resist  the  earliest  aberration 
from  principle ;  before  success  has  legalized  usurpation,  and 
ill-gotten  power,  arbitrarily  obtained,  has  assumed  the  place 
of  legitimate  authority. 

Since  writing  my  last  number,  a  Committee  has  been  ap- 
pointed to  investigate  the  discrepancy  which  occurred  in  the 
result  of  the  ballot  for  Mayor,  but  by  the  complexion  of  the 
majority  of  its  members,  I  do  not  anticipate  a  satisfactory 
report. 

Independent  of  the  fact,  that  the  Mayor  has  appointed  on 
this  Committee  of  investigation,  a  majority  of  his  own 
friends  ;  he  has  chosen  two  of  those  from  the  legal  gentlemen 
of  the  Board,  while  the  minority  are  selected  from  members 
who  are  least  versed  in  legal  subtleties. 

It  is  tlierefore  obvious,  that  all  the  skill  and  adroitness  of 
these  gentlemen  "  learned  in  the  law,"  will  be  resorted  to,  to 
shield  the  Mayor  and  his  friends  from  censure. 

Indeed,  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  who  was  the 
author  of  the  resolution  to  go  into  this  investigation,  has  al- 
ready exhibited  his  desire  to  retreat  -,  for  after  summoning  the 
fourteen  gentlemen  who  voted  for  Mr.  Smith  to  attend  the 
Committee,  he  absolutely  refused  to  allow  them  to  be  exa- 
mined. 

It  is  probable  that  the  gentleman  from  the  First,  offered  the 
resolution  without  consulting  the  leaders  of  his  new  party  ; 
and  having  been  advised  of  the  impolicy  or  danger  of  further 
investigation,  has  wisely  concluded  to  suspend  all  proceed- 
ings. 

Mr.  Bowne  having  exhibited  an  undue  anxiety  for  his  pre- 
sent office,  I  do  not  apprehend  that  he  will  abdicate  his  seat, 
except  in  obedience  to  the  authority  of  a  legal  tribunal. 

For  myself,  I  do  not  covet  the  honors  which  the  Mayor  has 
obtained,  in  opposition  to  the  wishes  of  a  majority  of  the  peo- 


21 

pie's  representatives ;  more  especially  when  they  have,  on 
oath,  volunteered  the  declaration,  of  their  conviction  of  his 
incapacity  to  perform  his  official  duties. 

If  Mr.  Bowne  wishes  to  hold  his  situation,  in  defiance  of 
the  evidence  of  fraud,  or  error  in  the  ballot,  1  am  not  dispos- 
ed to  snatch  from  his  brow  the  tarnished  diadem  of  office,  sur- 
reptitiously received  and  dishonorably  retained. 

The  course  which  the  General  Committee  has  pursued, 
is  a  source  of  regret  to  many  of  the  most  able,  experienced 
and  consistent  members  of  the  party. 

The  experience  of  the  late  election  has  conclusively 
shown,  that  improper  selections  of  candidates  for  public 
office,  will  not  be  sustained  by  a  majority  of  the  party  ;  and 
the  different  secessions  frem  its  ranks  which  have  recently 
taken  place,  admonish  our  representatives  in  General  Com- 
mittee, to  beware  of  hurling  defiance  at  public  sentiment. 

In  entering  into  this  investigation,  I  disclaim  the  intention 
of  endeavoring  either  to  create  or  perpetuate  a  public  ex- 
citement, but  should  be  deficient  in  a  proper  sense  of  the  ob- 
ligation which  I  owe  to  my  Republican  fellow  citizens  for 
their  renewed  confidence,  did  I  not  relieve  my  associates  and 
myself  from  the  imputations  which  have  been  heaped  upon  us. 

Had  these  attacks  been  confined  to  our  own  city,  I  should 
not  have  deemed  it  necessary  to  reply;  but  powerful  and 
concentrated  efforts  having  been  made  to  prejudice  the  offi- 
cers of  the  State  and  General  Governments  against  the  op- 
ponents of  Mr.  Bowne,  it  became  a  duty  to  exhibit  the  con- 
sistenaj  of  Yns  friends  in  Us  proper  colors. 

The  great  majority  of  the  supporters  of  Mr.  Smith  were 
warm  friends  of  General  Jackson,  while  a  number  of  the 
friends  of  Mr.  Bowne  were  hesitating  in  their  course  between 
opposition  and  approval ;  but  success  having  now  crowned 
the  man  of  the  people,  these  worthy  patriots  claim  the  honors 
of  a  victory  which  they  had  no  share  in  obtaining. 

If  we  take  a  brief  review  of  the  character  of  the  leading 
supporters  of  Mr.  Bowne,  we  shall  be  convinced  that  they 
are  not  such  exclusive  Republicans  as  has  been  asserted. 


22 

Tlie  Recorder  has  been  long  known,  as  one  who  has  veer- 
ed to  every  point  of  the  pohtical  compass;  and  has  never  ex- 
hibited any  stahihty  of  purpose,  except  in  an  ardent  attach- 
ment to  his  individual  interest. 

Mr.  Roosevelt,  from  the  First  Ward,  who  assumes  to  be  a 
leader  in  this  Republican  Caucus,  has  but  very  recently 
emerged  from  the  shell  of  high-toned  federalism,  and  his 
sounding  professions  and  ultra  career,  are  stamped  with  that 
improper  violence,  which  new  made  converts  are  so  prone 
to  exhibit. 

Alderman  Seaman,  from  the  7th  ward,  has  been  friendly 
to  regular  nominations  but  a  very  few  years;  and  1  well  recol- 
lect the  time  when  it  was  his  pride  and  pleasure,  to  prostrate 
those  candidates  who  were  nominated  at  Tammany  Hall. 

Several  other  friends  of  Mr.  Bovvne  could  be  mentioned, 
whose  names  were,  until  recently,  unknown  in  the  ranks  of 
the  party  ;  and  whose  attachment  to  the  Mayor,  constitutes 
their  sole  claims  to  the  confidence  of  their  Republican  fellow 
citizens. 

To  Mr.  Bowne,  personally,  I  entertain  no  hostility. 

In  contending  for  princijjle,  1  have  no  disposition  to  be- 
come the  assailant  of  men,  further  than  is  necessary  for  a 
correct  decision  on  the  merits  of  this  controversy. 

In  the  different  offices  to  which  Mr.  Bowne  has  been  ele- 
vated by  the  Republican  party,  I  have  extended  to  him  my 
feeble  support ;  but  cannot  recognize  the  authority  of  even 
celebrated  individuals,  when  they  desire  to  cover  a  derelic- 
tion from  duty,  with  the  mantle  of  past  honors. 

Having  continued  thus  far  to  pursue  the  polar  star  of  Re- 
publican principles,  I  shall  not  now  be  tempted  to  follow 
those  ephemeral  meteors  of  faction,  which  are  dependant  on 
time  and  circumstance  for  their  brilliancy  or  extinction. 

I  trust  that  in  this  examination,  1  have  convinced  the 
public : 

1st.  That  in  the  attempt  to  sustain  the  friends  of  Mr. 
Bowne,  the  Republican  General  Committee  have  deviated 
from  their  proper  sphere,  and  improperly  interposed  their 


23 

official  authority  to  screen  desertion  from  principle,  and  ana- 
thematize the  supporters  of  party  usage  and  pure  democracy. 

2dly.  That  the  call  for  the  first  Caucus  was  proper  and 
regular,  and  in  strict  accordance  with  the  precedent  establish- 
ed by  the  friends  of  Mr.  Bowne ;  while  the  meeting  at  the 
Recorder's  house,  where  a  minority  was  entrapped  to  pack 
a  majority,  and  the  subsequent  assemblage  at  the  Street 
Commissioner's  Ofiice,  was  unauthorized  by  party  prece- 
dent— not  being  confined  to  those  members  who  were  regu- 
larly nominated,  or  who  were  consistent  Republicans — while 
it  indiscriminately  excluded  Republicans  who  were  last  sea- 
son admitted,  and  received  Federalists  who  were  unknown 
in  the  ranks  of  the  party. 

3dly.  That  the  opponents  of  Mr.  Bowne,  subsequent  to 
their  exclusion,  proceeded  in  strict  conformity  to  Republican 
principles,  in  nominating  a  consistent  Republican  and  friend 
of  the  administration,  as  their  candidate  for  Mayor,  and  in 
all  things  abiding  by  the  usages  of  the  party. 

4thly.  That  Mr.  Bowne  and  his  friends  prostrated  the 
known  rules  of  all  deliberative  assemblies,  in  their  anxiety 
for  success ;  and  that  in  vacating  their  seats  at  the  Board, 
the  seven  Assistants  were  fully  justified,  by  the  preceding  vio- 
lation of  rules  and  orders  of  the  Bowne  party. 

5thly.  That  in  their  return  to  the  Council  Chamber,  after 
compelling  Mr.  Bowne  to  state  his  intention  to  not  vote  for 
himself ^  while  he  5////  refused  to  vacate  his  seat,  they  evinced 
their  desire  to  further  the  pubHc  interest : 

And  6thly.  The  mystery  which  enshrouds  the  ballot  for 
Mayor  being  still  unexplained,  and  the  Committee  which 
was  appointed  to  investigate  this  subject  having  refused  to 
perform  their  duties ;  the  inference  is  irresistible,  that  Mr. 
Bowne,  in  retaining  his  office,  has  determined  to  brave  the  in- 
dignation of  this  community,  and  that  in  his  desire  for  power, 
he  cares  little  for  the  means  by  which  it  is  obtained. 

If  the  above  conclusions  are  legitimately  established,  it 
affords  a  melancholy  evidence  of  the  proneness  of  human 
nature,  in  grasping  at  office  and  distinctions,  to  discard  the 
pure  attachment  to  first  principles. 


IN'^'F 


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As  the  friends  of  Mr.  Bowne  have  thought  proper  to  be- 
come the  assailants,  and  have  brought  to  their  aid  tlie  official 
power  of  the  General  Committee,  they  cannot  murmur  at  ;i 
fair  exposition  of  their  career. 

If  in  this  investigation,  1  have  failed  to  exhibit  that  power 
of  persuasion  and  richness  of  intellect,  which  a  more  culti- 
vated mind,  or  classic  pen,  might  have  summoned  to  its  aid, 
I  trust  that  the  veracity  of  my  statement  may  somewhat 
atone  for  the  simplicity  of  its  style,  and  that  the  public  will 
not,  in  their  verdict  of  approval  or  disapproval,  merge  the 
purity  of  the  cause  in  the  incapacity  of  its  narrator. 

A  democratic  member  of  the  Common  Council, 


rrXZV.  lAASE* ' 


'^Ji^jkiS-^ 


'^^■^ 


